Gemstone mount assemblies, jewelry pieces and methods for forming the same

ABSTRACT

A jewelry piece includes a gemstone mount assembly and a gemstone. The gemstone mount assembly includes a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends. The base member tapers from the first end to the second end and defines a base opening in the first end. A bezel member is mounted on the first end of the base member and defines a bezel opening. The bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member. The gemstone is mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and captured between the base member and the bezel member. The gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to jewelry and, more particularly, to gemstone mounts, jewelry pieces, and methods for forming the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gemstones are commonly used in various types of jewelry pieces such as earrings, rings, bracelets, pendants and the like. Such gemstones must be mounted in a secure and attractive manner. It is also desirable to reduce the amount of labor, and particularly skilled and/or delicate craftsmanship, required to assembly such jewelry pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiments of the present invention, a jewelry piece includes a gemstone mount assembly and a gemstone. The gemstone mount assembly includes a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends. The base member tapers from the first end to the second end and defines a base opening in the first end. A bezel member is mounted on the first end of the base member and defines a bezel opening. The bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member. The gemstone is mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and captured between the base member and the bezel member. The gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.

According to further embodiments of the present invention, a gemstone mount assembly for use with a gemstone includes a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends. The base member tapers from the first end to the second end and defines a base opening in the first end. A bezel member is mounted on the first end of the base member and defines a bezel opening. The bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member. The base member and the bezel member are adapted to capture the gemstone therebetween such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.

According to further embodiments of the present invention, a jewelry piece includes a gemstone mount assembly and a gemstone. The gemstone mount assembly includes a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends. The base member tapers from the first end to the second end and defines a base opening in the first end. A bezel member is mounted on the first end of the base member and defines a bezel opening. At least one of a decorative embossment and a decorative cutout is defined in an outer surface of the base member. The gemstone is mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and is captured between the base member and the bezel member. The gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.

According to further embodiments of the present invention, a gemstone mount assembly for use with a gemstone includes a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends. The base member tapers from the first end to the second end and defines a base opening in the first end. A bezel member is mounted on the first end of the base member and defines a bezel opening. At least one of a decorative embossment and a decorative cutout is defined in an outer surface of the base member. The base member and the bezel member are adapted to capture the gemstone therebetween such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.

According to method embodiments of the present invention, a method for forming a jewelry piece includes positioning a gemstone between a base member and a bezel member. The base member defines a base cavity and has first and second opposed ends. The base member tapers from the first end to the second end and defines a base opening in the first end. The bezel member defines a bezel opening. The bezel member is mounted on the first end of the base member such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening. The bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member.

Objects of the present invention will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the figures and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side, exploded view of a jewelry piece according to embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the jewelry piece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the jewelry piece of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the jewelry piece of FIG. 1 taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the jewelry piece of FIG. 1 mounted in an ear lobe;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a jewelry piece according to further embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a jewelry piece according to further embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a jewelry piece according to further embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a jewelry piece according to further embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a jewelry piece according to further embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the relative sizes of regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Terms such as “upper”, “top”, “front”, “lower”, “bottom”, and “rear” are intended only to indicate relative positions of components and not a particular orientation.

As used herein, “bonded” includes, but is not limited to, welding, soldering and adhering.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a jewelry piece 100 according to embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The jewelry piece 100 includes a gemstone mount assembly 101 according to embodiments of the present invention. The gemstone mount assembly 101 includes a base member 110 and a bezel member 140 bonded to the base member. The jewelry piece 100 is an earring and further includes an earring post 105 and a gemstone 130. As will be appreciated from the description herein, gemstone mount assemblies according to the present invention may be employed in other types of jewelry pieces such as rings, bracelets, pendants, brooches and body jewelry, and the like. However, as discussed in further detail below, certain embodiments of the present invention may be particularly advantageous when used in and as earrings.

The gemstone 130 may be any suitable or desired gemstone. Suitable gemstones include, for example, diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, or cubic zirconia. According to certain preferred embodiments, the gemstone 130 is cut so as to include a tapered pavilion or base portion 132 (for example, having a generally inverted conical shape as shown), a tapered crown or top portion 134 extending upwardly from the base portion 132, and a crest or girdle 136 located at the interface between the base portion 132 and the crown 134. Suitable stone shapes or cuts may include those commonly referred to as round, princess cut, pear shape, oval, marquise, radiant, heart shape, emerald cut or triangular cut.

The base member 110 may be formed of any suitable material. For example, the base member 110 may be formed of gold, silver, platinum, or any other metal suitable for manufacturing jewelry. The base member 110 has an upper end 110A and a lower end 110B. The base member 110 includes an upper ring 112 at the upper end 110A. A plurality of legs 114 are distributed (for example, equidistantly) about the ring 112 and each has an upper end secured to the ring 112 (for example, by welding or soldering), and a lower end joined (for example, by welding or soldering) to the lower ends of the other legs 114 at a point or apex 116 at the lower end 110B. The legs 114 are arranged such that the base member 110 tapers from the upper end 110A to the lower end 110B and has a conical outer shape or profile. According to some preferred embodiments, the base member 110 is tapered to form an included angle B (FIG. 2) of between about 70 and 130 degrees. According to some other embodiments, the angle B is between about 130 and 170 degrees. The base member 110 may be truncated (not shown) at its lower end to provide a frusto-conical shape. The ring 112 defines an opening 120 and the base member 110 defines an interior cavity 121 communicating with the opening 120.

The post 105 is secured to the point 116, for example, by welding or soldering. The gemstone mount assembly 101 may be used in other types of jewelry pieces by likewise or similarly securing the base member 110 to a ring band, pendant ring or the like. According to some other embodiments, a ring band, pendant ring, earring post or the like is secured, for example, by welding or soldering to the bezel member 140.

According to some preferred embodiments and as shown, the bezel member 140 is a continuous, endless ring. The bezel member 140 may be formed of any suitable material. Suitable materials may include those discussed above for the base member 110. The bezel member 140 may have a rounded or otherwise attractive outer contour as shown. According to some preferred embodiments, the width W1 (FIG. 3) of the bezel member 140 is between about 1 and 5 mm. The bezel member 140 defines an opening 142. The opening 142 is defined by a first annular, interior wall 144 and a second annular, interior wall 146. The walls 144, 146 together define a downwardly opening, annular recess 148. A shoulder 147 overlies the recess 148. The bezel member 140 defines an entrance inner diameter D2 and an exit inner diameter D3.

The securement and cooperative engagement between the base member 110, the gemstone 130 and the bezel member 140 will be better appreciated from the discussion of methods for assembling the jewelry piece 100 as set forth below. The gemstone 130 is positioned between the base member 110 and the bezel member 140. For example, the gemstone 130 may be placed in the base member 110 such that the base portion 132 is received in the cavity 121. According to some preferred embodiments, the outer diameter D1 of the ring 112 is less than the outer diameter of the girdle 136 so that the upper part of the base portion 132 rests on the ring 112 and the girdle 136 is disposed above the ring 112. According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the outer diameter D1 is between about 0 and 1 mm less than the outer diameter of the girdle 136. According to certain preferred embodiments-of the present invention, the cavity 121 is sized and shaped to fully receive the gemstone 130 to the point of engagement with the ring 112 without interference between the base portion 132 and the legs 114. For this purpose, the base member 110 may taper at a lesser angle than the base portion 132. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the angle A (FIG. 4) between the gemstone base portions 132 and the legs 114 is between about 1 and 30 degrees.

The bezel member 140 is then placed over the base member 110 such that the crown 134 is received through the opening 148. The diameter D2 of the opening 142 is greater than the diameter of the girdle 136 while the diameter D3 of the opening 142 is less than the outer diameter of the girdle 136. Accordingly, the shoulder 147 surrounds and overlaps an annular portion of the crown 134 to thereby capture the gemstone 130 between the base member 110 and the bezel member 140. More particularly, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments and as shown, the girdle 136 is captured between the shoulder 147 and the ring 112. According to certain preferred embodiments, the diameter D2 is between about 0.001 mm and 1 mm greater than the diameter of the girdle 136. According to certain preferred embodiments, the diameter D3 is at least about 0.25 mm less than the outer diameter of the girdle 136.

While the above-described method includes mounting the gemstone in the base member 110 and thereafter mounting the bezel member 140 on the base member 110, the gemstone may alternatively be mounted on the bezel member 140 first and the base member 110 then mounted on the bezel member 140. Alternatively, the gemstone may be mounted between and in the base member 110 and the bezel member 140 simultaneously with the mounting of the base member 110 and the bezel member 140 to one another.

According to some embodiments, the diameter D2 of the lower wall 144 is less than the outer diameter D1 of the ring 112. The bezel member 140 is forced or press-fitted onto the ring 112 so that the ring 112 and the wall 144 form an interference or friction fit therebetween. This friction fit may serve to hold the components 110, 130, 140 together for ease in executing subsequent assembly steps. Additionally, the friction fit may serve to assist in the permanent securement of the bezel member 140 to the base member 110. According to certain preferred embodiments, the diameter D2 is between about 0.001 and 0.1 mm less than the diameter D1.

After the base member 110, the gemstone 130 and the bezel member 140 have been assembled as described above, the base member 110 and the bezel member 140 are welded together. More particularly, the wall 144 is welded to the ring 112 such that the bezel member 140 and the base member 110 are immovably fixed or coupled to one another. This welding step is facilitated by the overlap between the components to be welded, providing for secure weld locations. The welds may be continuous or spot welds. According to certain preferred embodiments, the bezel member 140 is laser welded to the base member 110.

The methods according to the present invention may provide certain further advantages. Because it is not necessary to bend prongs or the like to secure the gemstone 130 within the gemstone mount assembly 101, the associated high heat (e.g., using a torch) and metal work are not required and heat-sensitive and pressure-sensitive stones can be used without elevated risk of damage or special care. The gemstone mount assembly 101 can be quickly assembled without requiring significant skill. This is particularly facilitated by the friction fit or interlock between the ring 112 and the bezel member 140.

The gemstone mount assembly 101 may be particularly advantageous in that the gemstone mount assembly 101 may be formed so as to be relatively light in weight. The gemstone mount assembly 101 and the jewelry piece 100 provide an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance. The bezel member 140 is unobtrusive and may serve as a decorative element. According to some preferred embodiments, the bezel member 140 forms a peripheral edge or flange surrounding the gemstone mount assembly 101. The shape of the base member 110 can be formed so as to complement the gemstone 130.

As noted below, the gemstone mount assembly 101 including the tapered base member 110 is particularly well suited for use in an earring. With reference to FIG. 5, a rear portion 111 of the base member 110 can be easily and comfortably embedded in a wearer's earlobe E. As a result, the jewelry piece 100 may give the appearance of a gemstone directly embedded in the wearer's ear E, without the presence of a gemstone mount assembly. Even when the jewelry piece 100 is retained only with a conventional earring retainer or back 107, the embedded earring 100 may tend to stand up as shown, rather than droop as is common with stud-type earrings. This resistance to drooping is particularly facilitated by earrings in accordance with the present invention in that the gemstone mounting assembly 101 may be relatively light and is mechanically supported by the embedded portion 111.

With reference to FIG. 6, a jewelry piece 200 according to further embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The jewelry piece 200 includes a gemstone mount assembly 201 and corresponds to the jewelry piece 100 except as follows. The jewelry piece 200 includes a strip or spots of solder 250 immovably securing the bezel member 240 to the ring 212 and/or the legs 214 of the base member 210. The method for forming the jewelry piece 200 differs from the method for forming the jewelry piece 100 only in that the step of welding is replaced with a soldering step. Any solder suitable for the type of metal employed may be used.

With reference to FIG. 7, a jewelry piece 300 according to further embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The jewelry piece 300 includes a gemstone mount assembly 301 and corresponds to the jewelry piece 100 except as follows. The jewelry piece 300 includes a strip or spots of adhesive 350 immovably securing the bezel member 340 to the ring 312 and/or the legs 314 of the base member 310. The method for forming the jewelry piece 300 differs from the method for forming the jewelry piece 100 only in that the step of welding is replaced with a step of applying a strip or spots of adhesive. Any adhesive suitable for the metals employed may be used.

With reference to FIG. 8, a jewelry piece 400 according to further embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The jewelry piece 400 includes a gemstone mount assembly 401 and corresponds to the jewelry piece 100 except as follows. The gemstone mount assembly 401 includes a base member 410 corresponding to the base member 110, except that the base member 410 includes a substantially solid cup 415 defining an opening and an interior cavity corresponding to the opening 120 and the interior cavity 121 of the base member 110. The cup 415 is generally conical and a post 405 is secured to the lower apex of the cup 415. The bezel member 440 is secured in the manner described above to the upper rim of the cup 415 or to a ring corresponding to the ring 112, which may be welded or otherwise secured to the upper rim of the cup 415. An optional decorative pattern or indicia 418 may be embossed in the cup 415. The embossment 418 may include, for example, a brand designation.

With reference to FIG. 9, a jewelry piece 500 according to further embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The jewelry piece 500 includes a gemstone mount assembly 501 and corresponds to the jewelry piece 400 except as follows. The base member 510 includes a hollow cup 515 corresponding to the cup 415, except that the cup 515 is pyramid-shaped. According to certain preferred embodiments, the cup 515 is substantially fully pyramid-shaped, but alternatively may be frusto-pyramidally shaped. The ring 540 is square to accommodate the square upper rim of the base member 510. The gemstone mount assembly 501 is adapted to accommodate a gemstone 530 having a square crown 534. The gemstone mount assembly 501 includes a cut out 518 in the cup 515. The cutout 518 communicates with the interior cavity of the base member 510 so that the base portion 532 of the gemstone 530 is exposed therethrough. The cutout 518 may be in the shape of any suitable pattern or indicia, for example, as described above with regard to the embossment 418.

With reference to FIG. 10, a jewelry piece 600 according to further embodiments of the present invention is shown therein. The jewelry piece 600 includes a gemstone mount assembly 601 and corresponds to the jewelry piece 100 except as follows. The jewelry piece 600 includes a gemstone 630 having an oval crown 634. The bezel member 640 and the base member (not shown) are likewise suitably oval to accommodate the oval gemstone 630.

Various of the features and aspects described above may be combined. For example, the gemstone mount assembly 101 may be modified to include a pyramidal base member and a square bezel ring as in the gemstone mount assembly 501. The embossments and cutouts may be formed in base member cups of various shapes (e.g., pyramidal, conical, oval, etc.). The bezel members and base members of the various gemstone mounting assemblies of the present invention can be bonded by any suitable means such as welding, soldering and adhering. However, according to certain embodiments, welding is preferred because it eliminates the presence of solder or adhesive that may adversely affect the appearance of the mount and/or the gemstone.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. 

1. A jewelry piece comprising: a) a gemstone mount assembly including: 1) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and 2) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening; 3) wherein the bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member; and b) a gemstone mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and captured between the base member and the bezel member, wherein the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.
 2. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the bezel member is welded to the first end of the base member.
 3. The jewelry piece of claim 2 wherein the bezel member is laser welded to the first end of the base member.
 4. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the bezel member is soldered to the first end of the base member.
 5. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the bezel member is adhered to the first end of the base member.
 6. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the bezel member is further secured to the first end of the base member by a friction fit engagement.
 7. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially conical or frusto-conical.
 8. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal.
 9. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the base opening is substantially oval.
 10. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the base member includes a plurality of separately formed, coupled segments.
 11. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the base member is unitarily formed.
 12. The jewelry piece of claim 1 including a decorative embossment defined in an outer surface of the base member.
 13. The jewelry piece of claim 1 including a decorative cutout defined in an outer surface of the base member and communicating with the base cavity.
 14. The jewelry piece of claim 1 including a recess formed in a rear surface of the bezel member, wherein a portion of the first end of the base member is received in the recess.
 15. The jewelry piece of claim 1 including an earring post secured to the second end of the base member.
 16. The jewelry piece of claim 1 wherein the gemstone includes a base portion disposed in the base cavity, a crown extending through and beyond the bezel member opposite the base member, and a girdle disposed between the bezel member and the base member.
 17. A gemstone mount assembly for use with a gemstone, the gemstone mount assembly comprising: a) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and b) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening; c) wherein the bezel member is bonded to the first end of the base member; and d) wherein the base member and the bezel member are adapted to capture the gemstone therebetween such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.
 18. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the bezel member is welded to the first end of the base member.
 19. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 18 wherein the bezel member is laser welded to the first end of the base member.
 20. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the bezel member is soldered to the first end of the base member.
 21. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the bezel member is adhered to the first end of the base member.
 22. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the bezel member is further secured to the first end of the base member by a friction fit engagement.
 23. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially conical or frusto-conical.
 24. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the base member has an outer shape that is substantially pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal.
 25. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the base opening is substantially oval.
 26. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the base member includes a plurality of separately formed, coupled segments.
 27. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the base member is unitarily formed.
 28. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 including a decorative embossment defined in an outer surface of the base member.
 29. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 including a decorative cutout defined in an outer surface of the base member and communicating with the base cavity.
 30. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 including a recess formed in a rear surface of the bezel member, wherein a portion of the first end of the base member is received in the recess.
 31. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 including an earring post secured to the second end of the base member.
 32. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 17 wherein the base member and the bezel member are adapted to receive the gemstone such that a base portion of the gemstone is disposed in the base cavity, a crown extending through and beyond the bezel member opposite the base member, and a girdle disposed between the bezel member and the base member.
 33. A jewelry piece comprising: a) a gemstone mount assembly including: 1) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and 2) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening; 3) wherein at least one of a decorative embossment and a decorative cutout is defined in an outer surface of the base member; and b) a gemstone mounted in the gemstone mount assembly and captured between the base member and the bezel member, wherein the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.
 34. The jewelry piece of claim 33 wherein a decorative embossment is defined in the outer surface of the base member.
 35. The jewelry piece of claim 33 wherein a decorative cutout is defined in the outer surface of the base member and communicates with the base cavity.
 36. A gemstone mount assembly for use with a gemstone, the gemstone mount assembly comprising: a) a base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end; and b) a bezel member mounted on the first end of the base member and defining a bezel opening; c) wherein at least one of a decorative embossment and a decorative cutout is defined in an outer surface of the base member; and d) wherein the base member and the bezel member are adapted to capture the gemstone therebetween such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening.
 37. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 36 wherein a decorative embossment is defined in the outer surface of the base member.
 38. The gemstone mount assembly of claim 36 wherein a decorative cutout is defined in the outer surface of the base member and communicates with the base cavity.
 39. A method for forming a jewelry piece, the method comprising the steps of: a) positioning a gemstone between a base member and a bezel member, the base member defining a base cavity and having first and second opposed ends, the base member tapering from the first end to the second end and defining a base opening in the first end, the bezel member defining a bezel opening; b) mounting the bezel member on the first end of the base member such that the gemstone is received in the base cavity and extends through the base opening and the bezel opening; and c) bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member.
 40. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes welding the bezel member to the base member.
 41. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes laser welding the bezel member to the base member.
 42. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes soldering the bezel member to the base member.
 43. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of bonding the bezel member to the first end of the base member includes adhering the bezel member to the base member.
 44. The method of claim 39 including securing the bezel member to the first end of the base member by a friction fit engagement.
 45. The method of claim 39 including forming a decorative embossment in an outer surface of the base member.
 46. The method of claim 39 including forming a decorative cutout in an outer surface of the base member such that the cutout communicates with the base cavity.
 47. The method of claim 39 wherein the step of mounting the bezel member on the base member includes inserting a portion of the first end of the base member in a recess formed in a rear surface of the bezel member.
 48. The method of claim 39 including securing an earring post to the second end of the base member.
 49. The method of claim 39 including positioning the gemstone in the base member and the bezel member such that a pavilion portion of the gemstone is disposed in the base cavity, a crown of the gemstone extends through and beyond the bezel member opposite the base member, and a girdle of the gemstone is disposed between the bezel member and the base member. 